Garmin Fenix 7 Pro review: Should you buy it?

When it comes to the latest Fenix 7 Pro series, size finally doesn’t matter. All Pro series devices, including the 42mm Fenix 7S Pro, 47mm Fenix 7 Pro, and 51mm Fenix 7X Pro, now offer nearly identical experiences. They’re comfortable, classy, packed with features, and available in base or Sapphire models. They also all debut an updated Memory in Pixel (MIP) display that’s more readable in low-light environments.

Most importantly, rather than relegating key features to the biggest models, the Pro series brings all the best of Garmin to wrists of all sizes. This includes solar charging, 32GB of storage for maps and music, and multiband GNSS. It also means you no longer need to strap on a massive X model to score a built-in flashlight.

Understandably, emphasizing a built-in flashlight might inspire some eye rolls. In reality, it’s so useful it’s almost baffling, with four white light intensity settings and a red light mode for after hours. This week alone I’ve used the Fenix 7S Pro to illuminate a forest trail after sunset, search through my disorganized bin of fishing gear and find lures, and rummage under my jeep’s seats for a dropped credit card. I also used the red mode on a near-nightly basis to hit the bathroom without waking my partner. The feature also offers strobe effects and running modes that will match your cadence, which allows traffic to see you on evening runs.

When you do take that run, you’ll also find two new fitness tracking metrics: Endurance Score and Hill Score. Endurance Score represents your ability to sustain performances over time. It’s generated by analyzing your VO2 max as well as your activity history, taking into account your training intensity and fatigue resistance. Hill Score measures your skill at ascent running. During all recorded runs, hikes, and walks, Garmin automatically detects segments with a grade of more than 2% and analyzes your hill strength (think height climbed) and hill endurance (think speed) as well as your VO2 max.

In theory, both metrics offer unique insights and potential advantages for endurance athletes. However, they also both seem to need more data before reaching their full potential. The Hill Score feature in particular requires two full weeks of data before it will provide a score.

Meanwhile, Garmin understands running isn’t for everyone (and even dedicated runners like to mix it up). To that end, the company added 30 new sport modes, including popular team sports and niche activities. As always though, tracking activity is only as useful as it is accurate and Garmin delivers there as well.

The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro features an all-new Garmin Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor that proved extremely reliable throughout my tests. It matched my Polar HR chest strap on runs, as well as during interval training, hikes, and cycling workouts. Likewise, the device provides incredibly accurate GPS tracking. Since Garmin added multiband GNSS to every case size, even my petite Fenix 7S recorded accurate routes across the board. The device also uses SatIQ to automatically utilize the most battery-efficient GPS/GNSS tracking.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Garmin added weather overlays to its maps to show precipitation, temperature, cloud coverage, and wind, as well as relief shading for more at-a-glance information about the terrain you’re covering. Garmin also introduced new view options that keep your stats on screen while looking at maps, including the split screen option shown above, and a perimeter option that pushes your stats to the edges of the display. All of these updates make navigating with the Fenix 7 Pro extremely useful.

In short, this is a very impressive device with some noteworthy upgrades. In a vacuum, it’s a fantastic buy, (as are most Garmin devices, to be honest). However, and this is a big however, it’s also a classic Garmin half-step, and not likely worth upgrading to if you already own a Fenix 7 series device, especially if it’s the Fenix 7X. Unless you’re desperate for a flashlight and solar charging, you’re better off holding tight with the new software on an older watch. Plus, we’d be surprised if Garmin doesn’t have a powerful Fenix 8 in the works anyway.

Like a classic scary movie from the 90s, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro’s biggest threat comes from inside the house.

• Garmin Epix Pro ($899.99 at Amazon): A Fenix 7 Pro with an AMOLED display, the Garmin Epix Pro offers a similar experience on a much more colorful screen, plus Red Shift Mode for nighttime use.
• Garmin Forerunner 965 ($599.99 at Garmin): The Garmin Forerunner 965 also boasts an AMOLED display, an LED flashlight, tons of Garmin’s top training features, and a much smaller price tag.
• Apple Watch Ultra ($799 at Amazon): If you’re an iOS user looking for a more robust smartwatch experience, the Apple Watch Ultra is unrivaled, though it won’t provide training tools as advanced as Garmin’s watches.
• Garmin Fenix 7 series ($699.99 at Amazon): Finally, we’re all about readers saving some cash by purchasing older tech and the Fenix 7 series is a great lineup. Just note that only the largest models offer the best hardware features.